Get your dog or cat microchipped

You must make sure your dog or cat is fitted with a microchip and registered on a database.

There are different rules for dogs and cats depending on where you live.

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not microchipped when they need to be.

Microchipping your dog

All dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 8 weeks old.

Microchipping your cat

If you live in England your cat must be microchipped and registered by the time they’re 20 weeks old. This includes cats that usually only stay indoors.

If you live in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 

You can choose to microchip your cat.

This gives you a better chance of finding it if it’s lost or stolen.

Who can microchip your dog or cat

Your pet’s microchip must be fitted by a trained professional.

You can ask your vet, local council or local rescue and rehoming centre if they can microchip your dog or cat. They might charge a fee.

What happens when your dog or cat is microchipped

Your pet’s microchip contains a number, which will show up whenever your dog or cat is scanned.

You must make sure that your dog or cat is registered on one of the following databases (they all meet government standards):

You’ll be asked for your address and contact details when you register your pet on one of these databases.

You can be fined up to £500 if your dog or cat is not registered on one of these databases.

If you get an email from any other database, asking for money to register your pet, it could be a scam. You can report scam emails (also known as ‘phishing’) to the National Cyber Security Centre.

If you have a dog, it must still wear a collar and tag with your name and address when in a public place.

Updating your details

You’re responsible for keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date, for example if you move house.

Contact the database company your dog or cat is registered with to update any of your details.

You might be charged a fee for updating your pet’s microchip information.

Find out where your dog or cat is registered

You can check the microchip number if you do not know which database your pet is registered on.

If you do not have the microchip number, you can ask any of the following to scan your dog or cat for it:

  • a vet
  • a dog warden
  • a rescue centre

Getting a dog or cat

You should ask for proof a microchip has been fitted before getting a dog or cat.

You can ask to see any of the following as proof:

  • microchip certificate
  • vet records
  • pet passport

You may also be able to see microchip information in the dog or cat’s pet insurance papers.

You must make sure your pet’s microchip details are updated.

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